31 December 2010

The Year In Review, with pictures

Well if you are a regular reader of my blog you will know its been a full on year, and really one that I never want to repeat again. But amongst all the heartbreak, hard slog and sickness I've had so many great experiences, this post is a good way for me to remember that.

So, the year in review:


Jan - Our darling 17yr old staffie died, I turned 30 (eek!). I also found a small lump in my left breast.



 Feb - My first wedding cake and a very memorable trip to Gisborne with some awesome friends. A definite first - appearing on TV in Nestle New Zealand's Hottest Home Baker. Something I won't ever be repeating again! Hehe. And I started baking up at Belmont Park Racquets Club on Saturday mornings.



 March - A month I'll never forget. I was baking like a crazy woman. I even had my first competition. My first born turned 8. On the 2nd to last day of this month I was diagnosed with breast cancer after a biopsy on my breast.


April - The most somber Easter we've had, followed by amazing support and rallying around of family and friends. CT scans reveal no spread of cancer. Surgery on the 16th to remove my breast followed the next day by mine and Owens 11th wedding anniversary.



 May - A 2 night stay in a hotel by some fab anonymous people. I get an awesome new camera. The first of 6 rounds of chemotherapy start. Owens beloved 96yr old grandmother dies leaving a huge gap in our lives. My hair falls out and I get a nifty new wig.




June - My brother visits from Chile. Johnny turns 3. Life is a blur. I stay in a hotel for a week!



  July - We are saved by the arrival of Alison who swoops in and takes care of us all.An angel in human form. I get sick and have a 5 day stay in Auckland Hospital. Now halfway through chemo.




August - A tough tough month. By now its been a long slog of chemo and getting sicker each time. Start doing my thankful posts as I had lots of time on my hands to thank those who've been helping me get through it. The last day of the month brings my final dose of chemo.




September - I talk at a pastoral care evening at St Pauls, we go on a family holiday. We have a months break before radiation starts.




October - I start doing heaps more baking as my body starts to return to normal. I do the Dove Pink Star Walk. Radiation is a breeze compared to chemo so I sail through it.




November - A crazy busy month. A book is published with 2 of my baking pics in it. Very proud. I meet Simone from Greatfun4kids, lovely lovely woman. I finish radiation. We have a party.





December - I am interviewed for The Parenting Magazine (Autumn issue next March! Yay!) about my baking. Life gets back to normal. Katie turns 6.

I am SO excited about the coming year. There is life to live and so much to celebrate. Thank you to everyone who has read this blog and supported me. My blog friends that I have never met (except you Simone!) you have been lovely and it has been a pleasure being part of the blogging community with you.

Here's to a NEW YEAR!

17 comments:

Hootnz said...

Wow, what a full on year, this was a great post to sum it all up. I hope the new year brings lots of new exciting happy memories for you and your family.. Happy New Year! :)

Kathryn said...

wow what a year!! I hope 2011 is filled with health, happiness and lots of baking.

Kathryn from Delish cupcakes

Johnny said...

Thanks Laura and Kathryn - I hope you two have a wonderful year too. Kathryn, I think I'll be visiting your shop some more as well!

jacksta said...

Wow what a crazy year for you! How cool that you documented it all to help remember the good and the bad.
Yay cant wait to check out your article in the parenting mag.
May 2011 be a fantastic year for you and your family :)

Michelle said...

Wow, what an absolute trooper you are and an inspiration to us all with your positivity throughout this years challenges. May 2011 bring you and your family health, happiness and good cheer :-)

Renata said...

Love your post! I wish you and your loved ones a Happy New Year, with a whole lot of life to live!! Looking forward to seeing all the good things you have to show us!!
With love,
Renata

Megan said...

It's been a crazy year for you so I pray you are blessed with good health during the coming year. Thank you for sharing your talents with us all.
Happy New Year to you and your family!

Ness said...

Normally I have no problem with words. But after reading your blog. Wow. What a full on year for you and your family. I hope that the New Year brings amazing, magical things for you and your family. :) Ness

Leonie said...

Hi Mon, what a huge year for you. I pray 2011 will be a great one, filled with blessings!!!

Simoney said...

Wow Mon, what a flippin hard core year and a very humbling incredibly inspiring post.
I am also super humbled to have my name mentioned TWICE and I am looking forward to meeting up again and maybe introducing our kids and hubbies? Looking at the oics of your lovelies I think they would all get on like a house aflame.
So sometime when you guys are bored and at a loose end (like anytime now) come over and we'll throw some gluten free susies on the barbie and get out the waterslide :)
Happy New year :)
xxxxx

Simoney said...

oh and BTW that "oics" was menat to be PICS! LOL

Johnny said...

Haha, though oics (or oikes?) might sum them up right now!
Yes, BBQ and waterslide sounds like a brilliant plan. Yay for summer!

Widge said...

Such an eventful year. So cool how it has ended on such an exciting note...really looking forward to reading your article!!

All the best for twenty11. you so deserve it x

Weza said...

Hi, Thanks for popping by my blog, so glad you did as it lead me back to this gorgeous blog. Wow what a year you have had, what an incredible journey, loving all the pics esp the ones where you are smiling despite the cancer. Truly inspirational. Hey i know people who go to St Pauls! Small world.
Looking forward to reading more from you. xxx

Phuoc'n Delicious said...

WOW! What a year! I really admire your strength and courage through your hard times. I hope 2011 brings you happiness, good health and many delicious memories. Take care *hugs* :)

Lisa said...

What an amazing year, I have loved reading your blog, suggested to me by my oldest and dearest friend Katie. The thing I have loved most of all, apart from your raw honesty, beautiful writing and stunning images, has been the return of recipes and baking photographs, because this signifies more than anything I'm guessing, your return to a normal'ish kind of world again. Here's wishing you a HAPPY, healthy, peaceful New Year. Enjoy.

Sue said...

Thanks for your comment on my blog. I'm so glad that it led me here:) What a year you had in 2010! I hope this year is a wonderful one for you! Cheers to good health and happiness!!! I just bought that book, so am going to have to look for your photos:) Be well.